Paris doctor says France has “lost control” of COVID-19 pandemic

A Paris doctor says the country has lost control of COVID-19 and is urging a return to lockdown.

The remarks come a day after France reported more than 52,000 COVID-19 cases.

Dr. Eric Caumes, head of the infectious diseases department at a Paris hospital, made the comments on a French radio station.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has risen sharply in recent weeks.

Patients with COVID-19 now occupy more than half of France’s intensive care units.

France has been among countries hardest-hit by the pandemic, reporting more than 34,700 virus-related deaths.

It is currently registering more than 340 positive cases per 100,000 people nationwide each week.

Tougher restrictions were put in place by the French government last week, including an overnight curfew covering 46 million people.